Our Kulture is a new web series about the world of customs, hot rods, and lowriders. In less than five minutes director Helen Tran captures the thoughts and opinions of everyday car enthusiasts as well as some beautiful moving shots of clean classic rides.

Edsel Photos: Bruce VanEtten

Episode 1, “Wheeled Passion” features Relentless C.C. members Bruce VanEtten and his wife Kathleen, Nyk Woodward, and Jay Walding. Alex Gambino, Owner of Gambino Hot Rods & Customs, and Brandon Szeremi – Owner of Supreme Rods & Customs also make appearances in this episode.

Bruce VanEtten’s ’59 Edsel Ranger Hardtop is the lead feature for this episode. He reminisces about his first model car being an Edsel. Bruce says that pride in an old car stems from one’s ability to be able to work on it and mold it into his or her personal vision. 

It is a stark contrast to the cars of today. With the advent of computerized technology and plastic parts, the level of customization has diminished and with it, pride rooted in personal craftsmanship on your own vehicle.

Bruce’s final thoughts boil down to one statement which poses an important idea concerning the integrity of the car industry today, “I think that was engineered so that there isn’t anymore shade tree mechanics, so that you have to take it into a dealership and pay their outrageous fees to get it fixed.”

Alex Gambino, Owner of Gambino Hot Rods & Customs is then spotlighted and talks a little about the nature of car clubs and their importance towards the overall vitality of classic cars, customs, and hot rods. 

He believes that without the clubs that arose out of the late 40s and 50s there would have been an overall lack of inspiration and enthusiasm to build. The 90s resurgence of clubs also helped revamp the declining culture in his eyes. To him, the classic car’s lifeline is directly connected to the strength of community amongst car lovers.

He ends his interview with a brief meditation, “I know that between cars and my wife, they saved my life and gave me the life I have today. The only thing I can think about that is, my car don’t talk back.”

There is so much down to earth footage within this first episode that it left us wanting more. It’s a fine tuned package of information, sights, and sounds from people who care about cars just as much as we do. This is a web series that Rod Authority endorses and hopes to see evolve as the series grows. We hope the best for Helen Tran, the film team, and others involved because they’ve got something great in the works.

Stay tuned for updates on the Our Kulture web series on YouTube as Rod Authority will be reporting on new episodes regularly.